SA Migration International

News Articles

Airport official suspended over unabridged birth certificate debacle

Source: Tourism Update, 21/08/2015

An airport official who attempted to solicit unwarranted "fines" from
minors at OR Tambo International Airport, claiming they had the
incorrect documents to travel according to the newly implemented
Immigration Act, has been suspended.

The official was said to have approached a group of schoolgirls
travelling on a student exchange after they had successfully
checked-in and presented all documentation to the airline check-in
staff. The group of schoolgirls were allegedly forced to accompany the
official to an `interview` room, and were denied access to a female
official, leaving them traumatised.

According to the victims, the official claimed that they did not have
the correct paperwork to travel and demanded a R500 `fine` be paid
before being allowed to depart South Africa. This is despite their
documents having been vetted previously by their travel agent and
accepted by the airline staff upon check-in as valid.

The matter was reported to Asata, which escalated the issue, and it
was dealt with speedily. "It is important that travellers understand
fully what their rights are," says Asata CEO, Otto de Vries.

Search

Latest News

... Read more...
... Read more...
... Read more...
... Read more...

If you are visiting SA or already here on a visa, take this as a public-interest warning. In 2025, a quiet, but sharp, shift has taken hold inside parts of home affairs adjudication ranks: applications are being refused almost mechanically if they were not submitted at least 60 days before visa expiry.A wave of refusals repeating near-identical wording:The applicant did not submit his/her application no less than 60 days prior to the expiry date of his/her.

The rigid application of this rule, devoid of consideration for mitigating circumstances, raises serious concerns about the fairness and legality of such administrative decisions.

... Read more...

... Read more...
... Read more...
... Read more...
... Read more...
... Read more...